Horse therapy farm for autistic kids could be shut down by rezoning in Herndon
HERNDON, Va. (ABC7) — When Michael Henderson rides a horse for about 30 minutes, his dad, Mike, says he feels the effects all day.
"That's nice posture, straight and tall," said Lauren Wong, an instructor.
The seven year old has severe autism. He'll often tap his legs and arms and rock back and forth. But when he gets on a horse, those symptoms and his pain fade away.
"The type of movement a horse gives, that three-dimensional motion, you can't replicate it with anything else on earth," said Mike Henderson.
Henderson showed us a community newsletter, saying the property that houses SPIRIT Open Equestrian in Herndon may be rezoned and handed over to a developer.
A spokeswoman for the county supervisor confirmed there is an application for rezoning.
"It's pretty much a clear message, it's going to be gone soon," said Davorka Suvak, Founder, SPIRIT Open Equestrian Program.
Suvak is the founder of the non-profit program, which has served 670 clients over a decade.
You might remember the farm making the news five years ago. Three horses were attacked with a knife. Fortunately, they survived, but now there's a new challenge, as the horses and the people they serve do not have another home to turn to.
"It's about what we're doing here. It's about how much horses can change lives. It's about how much they can make possible for families to see their kids successful," said Suvak.
There's no time frame on when the program may be asked to leave.
